Guest Author - Vickie Enkoff, M.S.

Business can be unpredictable and we can find ourselves falling behind on orders and being late for or missing appointments. When we start faltering, we need to stop and make an assessment of where we are. We need to make lists and assign priority numbers to things. We need to figure out where we can delegate. Sometimes we need to decide if it is time to hire employees or get some temporary help. It may also be possible to pay a little extra for materials that save you steps. Look at the projects you do and see if there are companies that can assemble parts ahead of time. For example if you make t-shirts and have been packaging them yourself, you might want to make arrangements for someone else to do the packaging. Consider hiring a life coach to help you manage your time better and reach your goals.
When you find yourself stressed out, stop and make a list of all the things that are bothering you. Look at each item and write down the steps you can take to make the item less stressful. Break them down into baby steps. Once you make a plan to resolve a stressor, you will feel better. If a problem is out of your control, you need to acknowledge it and tell yourself that you can not afford to waste time by worrying.
One of the hardest things about being self-employed is that your job can take over your life and leave you no time for having fun. Here are some things you can do to take care of yourself:
1. Breathe deeply. This will help you relax.
2. Take a walk. Exercise can refresh you.
3. Eat nutritious foods. Too many junk food items can deplete your energy.
4. Drink water. When you don’t drink enough water you can feel tired and achy.
5. Get enough sleep. It is necessary for clear thinking.
6. Find tasks that you can do with a friend. Having a good support system will carry you through when things go wrong.